13 Little Hope

I so wanted to tell him all my worries and fears within. And I also so wanted to tell him to just walk away from me. To just forget about me. But my selfish heart and mind didn't let me.

We walk hand in hand going back to my room. He kisses my forehead, says his good night, and hugs me tightly.

"Good night...thank you for today Basti."

I thought he was to let go now but he hugs me more.

"Can I just let you sleep first before I go back to my room?"

"Hmmm..." I said to tease him. When I didn't continue.

"I understand Belle. See you tomorrow."

He was about to really go when I held his hand. I look into his eyes and smiled at him.

He tucks me in now on my bed. He is sitting on the bedside near me. He is staring at me while he plays with my hand.

"So what are we going to do tomorrow Belle?"

"I was thinking on flying back to Manila tomorrow."

I miss work. I also don't want my papa to be stressed out with the work I left.

"What time?"

"After breakfast, let say quarter to 9? I should book my flight now."

I was about to grab my phone when he stopped me.

"What?"

"Don't worry about that. Okay quarter to nine it is."

"Huh?"

"I'm coming with you Belle."

"B-but huh?"

He chuckled while staring at my confused face. I know he promised but I thought he was here for something else too.

I did not know what time he went back to his room. All I know is that I had another peaceful night.

Basti woke me up the next morning. I was still in bed when he prepared our breakfast. He was looking at me while I was busy covering myself with my comforter. I look like a mess. And he looks so handsome and fresh. I haven't showered yet.

I hurriedly went to my bathroom when I heard him say.

"You know what, we can just reschedule our flight. No need to hurry Belle."

I just ignored what he said and went to take a shower.

He was waiting for me at the table. I am now wearing a shirt and light blue jeans paired with my sandals. I still haven't dried and combed my hair. I'll do it later when I'm done eating.

"Have you booked our flight?"

"Nope."

"What?!"

I was about to get my phone when he stopped me.

"We'll use the chopper Belle."

Oh! So he has a chopper now. Perks of being a Ciervo ha....

Since he cooked our breakfast, I insisted on washing the dishes.

"I can do it Basti!"

He was sitting on the couch as he waits for me. I went near him.

"I'm ready."

He grabs my luggage. I walk first and he followed me.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever thought that Basti and I can actually spend time together like we used to. After we broke up, my years had been filled with bitterness. I loathe the idea of love. And it showed on my books.

"What's wrong with you Belle and your sad endings? I thought this time the character will have her own happy ending? But, what's this?"

"It's just what it is Raul."

"When will you release a book that'll have happy endings?"

"I don't know Raul. Maybe, never."

I remember his disappointed and annoyed face when we had that talk. I got good reviews on my books even if it has sad endings. My readers loved it. It touched their hearts. So I have no problems with it.

It's a lie, if I told you I didn't even try writing happy endings. Because I did try. It just that it never felt right. It wasn't the right timing or it doesn't fit the whole book.

We reached the Panglao Airport, where the chopper was waiting. Some of his men got my luggage. Basti helped me climb up the chopper. He fixed the headset and held my hand the whole trip going back to Manila. We arrived safely at the rooftop of one of their buildings here in BGC.

He drove me home.

"I'll call you later after you get some rest."

"Okay."

"I'll go now."

"Hmm..take care."

Truth to his words, he called me later that night. But it did not take long, because I know he also need some rest.

Days passed, and he never failed to drive me wherever I go. He fetch me in the morning, drive me to my office, eat our lunch together, and drives me home too. That was our daily routine.

A lot of curious eyes where looking at him at the first time he set foot on my building. Everybody was eyeing on him. Probably wondering why a Ciervo is here inside a Yanez building.

No one tried to approach and ask us about it. How could they? When by just looking at Basti with his cold and menacing eyes, it screams power and authority. And it is intimidating and scaring my employees away. I was thankful for that though. Because I don't know what to say if someone asks me who Basti is.

After what happened in Panglao, we never really talked about us. He never asked me what we were. Or I never really initiated a conversation about us. It feels like we just resumed what we finished years ago.

I know there's no assurance in this but my heart still feels happy and light.

I sent a text message to Basti, telling him that I'll be going somewhere. He insisted to drive me there but I reminded him about his meeting this afternoon. And also I don't want him to be there. He will know about my condition if he'll accompany me.

Last night, I called Dr. Duazo. Telling her about what happened in Panglao. It took me days till I told her about it. She was mad at me. She was scolding me the whole duration of our call that she decided that I should visit her today.

"Transfer all of my schedules tomorrow. I'm going somewhere else. Okay?" I said to my secretary.

"Noted Miss."

I drove myself to her clinic. Her secretary was waiting for me outside her clinic.

"Miss, Dr. Duazo is attending her last patient for today. She'll probably be here ten minutes from now."

"Hmm...okay"

She went to her table while I sit on the couch.

"Uh--excuse me Miss, would you like to drink some tea, coffee, or juice?"

I shook my head. I don't think I can literally drink something right now when I'm this nervous.

I heard my phone beep. I saw that it was a text from Basti.

"Can I fetch you instead?"

"No. It's okay. I brought my car."

Why is he texting me now?

"How's your meeting?" I text him. Not waiting for his reply on my first text.

"I'm having it right now. Can I invite you to another dinner date?"

I rolled my eyes at that.

"Stop texting me! Focus on your meeting."

I put my phone on a do not disturb mode and just patiently wait for Dr. Duazo to come.

"Why did you not call me right away when it happened Belle? I could never forgive myself if something bad happened to you. You know I already told you not to do things that can strain you. And you what, went snorkeling! And it was during noon time?"

"Relax doc. I am okay, alright. And you see it just happened one time."

"You don't understand Belle! I might be wrong or something and I'm not yet sure but....what happened to you should not have happened."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Remember when I told you about your pain reliever medicines not working anymore, and too much pain will cause you to cardiac arrest, that's how your disease works. I'm thankful that you recovered from that attack, if not you'll be dead by now. I should book a flight to personally go to my friend regarding your condition. I might have missed something."

I am still here at the parking lot, still processing what Dr. Duazo told me. All I know is that what happened to me was both a good news and a bad news. It is something right? I might have a little hope right? Or...